Federal Defender Services of Idaho was originally established in 1994 as a branch office of the Federal Defenders of Eastern Washington and Idaho. Federal Defender organizations are established under the authority of the Criminal Justice Act, 18 U.S.C. § 3006A. The organization is a non-profit corporation managed by a Board of Directors. It is funded by a yearly grant from the Congress of the United States administered by the Administrative Office of the United States courts in Washington, D.C. As a Community Defender program it is mandated by the Sixth Amendment of United States Constitution - the right to effective assistance of counsel. The Office is dedicated to the defense of indigent clients charged with federal offenses. The caseload ranges from petty offenses, to multi-defendant drug conspiracies, sophisticated white-collar fraud offenses, computer crimes, and serious crimes that may occur in the Indian Country and on military installations.

Members of the Federal Defenders team share a commitment to excellence and a passion for justice in representing indigent people accused of a myriad of federal criminal offenses. That team is comprised of attorneys, investigators, administrative personnel, and support staff. The organization also receives valuable services from a variety of interns. All of them together combine hard work, constant training and intense dedication in providing service to each of our clients. In addition to direct representation of clients in the federal trial and appellate courts, the organization serves a training and resource function for the local bar and appointed counsel, and in law schools for the education of young men and women who wish to pursue this noble endeavor.

By fulfilling its mission, this organization helps maintain public confidence in the nation's commitment to equal justice under law and ensure the successful operation of the constitutionally-based adversary system of justice by which federally guaranteed rights are enforced. As was stated so eloquently in 1963, from a jail in Birmingham, Alabama, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."